Live Baits

Snails

Squid

Squid can be used whole or cut in to strips for the smaller species. Squid strips are a tad thi,n so cut a piece twice your desired length and fold it in half for longer life on hook.

Squid is a tough bait which lasts a long time in the water and withstands hard casting making it suitable for tipping off other baits, lug and squid cocktails being an all time cod classic. It is a decent winter bait particularly for whiting.

Fishing With Crickets

The most common way of fishing with crickets is with a float or bobber. Use a #8 or #10 live bait hook. Add a split shot about 6 inches above the hook. Use as little weight as possible. This will make the cricket fall through the water at a more natural weight. Insert the hook right behind the head of the cricket and let the barb of the hook exit the middle of the back. A pencil style float is a good choice for panfish. Start with the bait set a 3 feet below the surface. If you do not start getting strikes within a few minutes, raise or lower the bait until you start getting strikes.

Surf Fishing With Clams

You can purchase these at most seafood markets and coastal bait shops. Its probably best to call ahead to your favorite shop(See the CFLFR Bait Shop listings HERE) and make sure they have them in stock.

Clams are great for the Fall/Winter Pompano run up the east coast. You may have your hands full all day if you bring multiple rods, but its one of the most fun you can have on nice sunny day.

Just take two shells, bang them together to break one or both open, pull out the meat. The harder, cartledge-like tissue should be placed thru your hook to hold the rest of the softer muscle in place.

Sand Fleas In The Surf

Sand Fleas are one of the most abundant live baits found in Florida on both coasts. Many native Floridians grew up scooping them out of the sand as children, but on a hook they are almost irresistable to surf fish. Sand fleas burrow into the sand at the waters edge. The roe-egg laden females or soft shell-molting sand fleas are more preferred by fish.

Most coastal bait shops carry sand fleas scoops that make harvesting this great bait painless.